In a pre-show bout that had sub-par wrestling and little heat, Dean Malenko and Chavo Guerrero Jr. defeated Psychosis and Evan Karagias in 7:25 when Dean Malenko defeated Evan Karagias by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf.58

In a terrible pre-show match, The Public Enemy defeated Lenny Lane and La Parka in 6:12 when Johnny Grunge defeated Lenny Lane by pinfall with a Power Bomb.46

Highlights from last week's DDP/Savage main event, the Hogan/Sting showdown that followed, and the announcement that we'll see footage of an interview Dusty Rhodes conducted with Bret Hart, later tonight.

At Starrcade, Hollywood Hogan will show Sting why he should have just stayed in the rafters, but with his meddling neutralized until then, the New World Order has other business to take care of. Curt Hennig slammed shut the coffin on the Four Horsemen, when he slammed Ric Flair's ugly head in the cage door, and now he's going to put the final nail in that coffin. Then there's Dumbass Dallas Page, who after a year of getting knocked down, still can't get it through his head that the nWo is 4 Life. So, they've got a message for anyone thinking about teaming with those two losers, against Savage, Hennig, and Konnan, in tonight's main event: If you're fool enough to get in the nWo's way, you deserve everything you have coming to you.

Eric Bischoff wants to duck a direct fight, and send his goons to face Zbyszko in a tag match? Fine. Lex Luger has been aching to get his hands on Buff Bagwell, who wants people to believe that HE'S the Total Package, so if they want a math, they've got one. Bischoff, Bagwell, and Norton walk into frame, snickering a his display of bravado (except Norton, who wears a permanent scowl). Bichoff says that they must not have heard what was just said in the ring... or maybe they did, and Luger is just too stupid to listen. Either way, he's going to get everytthing that's coming to him, and Zbyszko is going to have to live with the knowledge that it's all because of him. Bischoff & Norton leave, but Bagwell lingers for a moment, to blow a kiss to Luger.

74

Chris Jericho vs. Alex Wright

Starting things on the mat with some terrific exchanges, when Jericho started opening things up, Wright quickly got in a cheap shot to take control. Das Wunderkind mixed speeds well to keep he advantage, and snuff out any changes in momentum, but wasn't able to put things away, causing him to take to the skies. The risk didn't pay off, and Jericho capitalized on the crash and burn to bring home the victory, and his place in the three-way #1 contendership match, in two weeks.

In a bout that had decent wrestling but didn't have much heat, Chris Jericho defeated Alex Wright in 11:31 by submission with a Lion Tamer.72

Backstage: Eddy Guerrero, Rey Mysterio Jr & Ultimo Dragon

Guerrero is seen watching Jericho celebrate, on a monitor in the back, making disparaging comments abou him to a production assistant, who clearly looked like he didn't want to be bothered. In walks Rey Mysterio Jr, warning Guerrero not to focus too much on Jericho, because there are plenty of other Cruiserweights eager to take that gold off him. Guerrero reminds Rey that he's the one he beat for the title in the first place, and anyway, what makes Mysterio so sure he'll even make it through his qualifier, when (pointing) that's his opponent? Mysterio and the camera turn to find Ultimo Dragon standing there, arms crossed, staring at Rey. Mysterio takes a deep breath, and tells Guerrero that he's not afraid to face anybody, and one way or another, he will get a rematch for that title, before leaving the room. Ultimo Dragon never takes his eyes off Mysterio, and a smiling Guerrero puts his elbow on Ultimo's shoulder, saying how much he's going to enjoy watching him beat that little twerp. He continues until he notices that Ultimo Dragon is now staring squarely at the Cruiserweight Championship, which sends Guerrero scurrying away in a huff.

After Scott Hall confirms that it's one more for the good guys, Kevin Nash talks up Hall winning World War 3, and how it came at the expense of the most overrated man-child in the business, The Giant. After a few more jabs, The Giant steps out onto the stage, and challenges Kevin Nash to put his money where his mouth is, and face him one-on-one at Starrcade. The Outsiders make a mocking show of being scared, before Nash answers back that he'd love to embarrass The Giant even more than usual, but unlike Giant, he's got other things to do: namely, winning the World Tag Team titles. The Giant says that he knows a couple guys who are going to make sure Nash's dance card clears up real fast, and brings out Harlem Heat for the contendership match.

Harlem Heat use their trademark high energy to rock The Outsiders early, until Vincent trips up Booker T running the ropes, allowing Nash to take his head off with a big boot. The Outsiders go to work, but Booker eventually does reach his brother, and Stevie Ray explodes into action. Scott Hall gets into an argument with Jacqueline Moore, which draws the attention of the referee, giving Nash an opening to hit a blatant low blow. As he sets Stevie Ray up for the Jackknife Powerbomb, The Giant climbs up onto the apron. Nash hesitates just enough for Stevie Ray to hook him in an inside cradle, for a razor-thin nearfall. Hall & Booker T bring their fight into the ring, as well, and while Stevie Ray takes himself and Nash over the top to the floor with a clothesline, Vincent again catches Booker T from behind, and Hall connects with an Outsider's Edge, and referee Nick Patrick counts the 3. Larry Zbyszko on commentary is beside himself, screaming that neither man was legal. Tony Schiavone again questions whether Nick Patrick is in the nWo's pocket, which Bobby Heenan calls absolutely preposterous.

In a good match, The Outsiders defeated Harlem Heat in 10:04 when Scott Hall defeated Booker T by pinfall with an Outsider's Edge.79

As the chaos fades, Kevin Nash again takes a microphone, and tells The Giant that he's so, so sorry, but it looks like he won't be able to face him at Starrcade. Maybe he can have a match with the buffet table, instead.

Gene Okerlund is with Ted Dibiase and The Steiner Brothers, now that they know they'll defend the World Tag Team Championships against The Outsiders, at Starrcade. Rick Steiner is confident, because for all The Outsiders' size, backup, and bravado, there's no bond stronger than that between brothers. Scott Steiner goes off on them, ripping out some colourful insults for Nash & Hall (which has Okerlund apologizing to the audience), until Rick forcibly stops him, and Ted Dibiase says that you can see how fired up the champions are, and at Starrcade, The Outsiders are going to feel the heat of that fire first-hand.

The Flock assemble around the ring, while Raven takes up a microphone inside:

The Wolverine wishes to face this man
All he must do is shake my hand
To seal the match we have in store
Quoth the Raven, nevermore

Benoit answers the call, and as The Flock rush to ambush him in the aisle, he takes them out, one-by-one, until he stands alone in the ring with Raven, who motions for calm, and extends his hand. Benoit is hesitant, but when nobody moves, he slowly reaches out, and shakes the hand of Raven. As soon as he does, Saturn (who had been absent before) leaps out of the crowd, and blindsides Benoit, laying him out at Raven's feet.

The die is cast; your fate is sealed
You charge ahead when you should yield
Foolish pride your only stock and store
Quoth the Raven, nevermore

60

Video Interview: Dusty Rhodes & Bret Hart

Dusty talks about the Hart family legacy, noting that Bret is one of the most decorated wrestlers in the world today. Hart says he's not here in WCW to cash in on what he's done; he's here to prove that he is what he's always said: the best.

Rhodes asks about Hart coming to them under controversial circumstances, and Bret says that while he can't talk about the incident, he can say that faction warfare on- and off-camera tore his family and his livelihood apart. Now he sees the same thing happening with WCW & nWo, and he hopes that he can play a part in bringing an end to the forces that threaten to tear this company apart.

Lastly, Rhodes asks for Hart's thoughts on the Sting/Hogan match at Starrcade. Hart just smiles, and says that he'll be watching closely, because in his eyes, and the eyes of all his fans, he's the real World Champion, and sooner or later, he's going to be knocking on the door of whomever holds that belt.

A true heavyweight tilt, Goldberg's early momentum is stopped when Nord sidesteps a spear, sending Goldberg crashing into the turnbuckle. The big bruiser goes to work, putting a quick beating on Goldberg, until a thrust kick buys a moment's reprieve, as both men go down. No one will know if Nord could retake the advantage, and end Goldberg's streak, because Steve McMichael snuck down to the ring, and snapped Nord's throat off the top rope, with Goldberg and the ref both facing the other way. Goldberg followed up with a spear and Jackhammer, to keep the streak alive.

In a short match, Goldberg defeated John Nord in 5:21 by pinfall with a Jackhammer.57

In-Ring: Goldberg, John Nord, and Steve McMichael w/Debra McMichael

As the McMichaels applaud a ringside, Goldberg clues in on what happened. Steve McMichael yells that he alone will be the one to end the streak. Goldberg invites McMichael to try right now, but with an angry John Nord beginning to stir, he simply smirks and walks out.

Disco Inferno is with Rick Martel, trying to convince him to dance. After some cajoling, Martel obliges, and Inferno moves on. While turning to talk some jive with a production assistant, he bumps into the looming torso of The Barbarian, alongside Meng. Showing impressive resolve, Disco Inferno makes the same pitch to them, asking for their best dance move. As the Faces of Fear crowd around Inferno, Ray Traylor hits the scene, ttelling them to lay off. After a lingering tense moment, Jimmy Hart tells Traylor that The Faces of Fear will see him and this dancing boy in the ring, Saturday Night on TBS.

Savage, Hennig, and Konnan throw more insults at their opponents, with Konnan going the furthest, saying that he'll show DDP what a real man can do, and then later, he'll show Kimberly Page, too. This brings out DDP and Flair, who laugh off everything nWo has said, and reveal their partner for the evening: Roddy Piper!

nWo took advantage of Flair's singular focus on Hennig to isolate him for a long stretch of time. DDP cleaned house when he got the tag, and brought in Piper, but was then drawn outside by Konnan and Rick Rude surrounding Kimberly Page. DDP began brawling with Konnan, only to be dropped by Rude and his ever-present briefcase. Now on his own, Piper is quickly subjected to a beatdown, and barely stays alive on a series of nearfalls. He is saved by DDP recovering, rushing the ring, and laying out both Hennig & Savage with Diamond Cutters. Konnan escapes this fate, taking flight all the way to the back. DDP charges after him, leaving both teams down a man. Piper slowly crawls to his corner, and tags in Flair, who struts and WOOOOOOOs his way to Hennig, hooking his legs for the figure four. Hennig, though, is able to reach up, shift his weight, and hook Flair in an inside cradle for the 1-2-3.

In a bout that had great wrestling and good heat, nWo (Randy Savage, Curt Hennig and Konnan) defeated Diamond Dallas Page, Ric Flair and Roddy Piper in 12:33 when Curt Hennig defeated Ric Flair by pinfall with a quick cradle.79

The match over, Hollywood Hogan and Vincent join their nWo brothers in stomping away on Flair and Piper. Hogan grabs a microphone, and begins spitting taunts at Sting, asking if the no-contact clause means he gave up his balls, too. A spotlight catches Sting in the rafters, and all the nWo members join in the mockery. Unseen by them, the real Sting enters the ring with his baseball bat, and begins swinging for the fences, taking everyone but Hogan out. Tightening his grip on the bat, Sting eyes up Hogan, who after his initial shock, mocks Sting's trademark move of turning his back and offering a free shot. Sting seems torn, but backs down, and Hogan laughs. He starts laying boots again into the prone body of Roddy Piper, laughing all the while, as Sting slowly turns away, and walks out.

Monday Night Raw starts with a recap video of last night's IC title match and the controversial ending to the Rock/Austin match, with Austin Stunning a referee before getting the 3 count. We then go to the Raw Zone opening video, and have JR, Michael Cole & Kevin Kelly welcome us to Rochester as Vince McMahon enters the arena
Rating: B (78)

Vince gets on the stick, to a chorus of boos, and admits that there's no denying the popularity of Stone Cold, but as of late he's been getting away with murder; assualting WWF officials, attack WWF announcers including yours truly. He points out that last night, Austin went too far because he endangered the fans by driving his truck all the way in the arena and to the ring and then used that truck as a weapon against his opponent. Even more so, Austin once again struck a WWF official, giving him the Stunner. And even when that ref was trying to call for a DQ a second ref made the 3 count. And thus Vince is demanding Austin defend the IC title against the man that is referred to as the People's Champ. The Rock!
Stone Cold comes out tossing the IC title into the ring as JR makes a reference to the recent incident involving NBA star Latrell Sprewell choking his coach PJ Carlisemo and how combustable Stone Cold tends to be. Vince asks if Austin has to say. Austin asks if Vince is actually dumb enough to order him to do something, because Stone Cold does what he wants, when he wants, and he doesn't give a rat's ass who you are.
Vince says he's the proud owner of the WWF and moreso he's the (hesitantly) boss, and maybe he'll give a damn about the consequences of not defending.
Austin wants to know what they are because Vince thinks he's a big shot but Austin has his own consequences. Stone Cold wants to know if the crowd wants to see Vince get his ass kicked and the crowd gives him a hell yeah. Since Vince doesn't seem to have the balls to do anything now, Stone Cold'll be back later but right now he's going to pop a beer, have a hot dog, and Vince that can think about those consequences. But when Stone Cold comes back out someone's getting their ass whipped. It might be JR, it might be some other official and Vince can bet his sorry ass it might be him. Austin then taunts beating anybody nearby as he leaves, and Cole pimps how you can get Austin's truck from last night
Rating: A (94)

With that in the books, the announce team hypes D-X being here live + a look at the destruction of the Hart Foundation. And the LOD will be in action
Rating: B (79)

We get the Karate Fighters tournament finals between Sunny and Jerry Lawler, which is won by Jerry Lawler...until we get instant replay views of Lawler gluing his Karate Fighter down and bribing the referee. This means, by DQ, Sunny is the Karate Fighters Holiday Tournament winner!
Rating: C+ (67)

Back to the show, we get a short recap viedo of last night's Tag Title match with Henry Godwin costing LOD the titles, which sets up tonight's tag match as LOD and the Godwins come out, the Godwins being seconded by the New Age Outlaws
Rating: C+ (69)

Legion of Doom vs. The Godwins
LOD (4:33) via Kane interference on Hawk
The Godwins try to push ahead early on but the LOD are having none of it and look to gain their revenge, until Kane shows up and makes his way to the ring. Everyone else hightails it but Hawk gets caught in the crosshairs, taking a Chokeslam and a Tombstone Piledriver. The Outlaws then jump in to pick the bones of the downed Hawk until Animal runs them off with a chair and we go to commercial
Rating: C (65)

Back from commercial, the announce team recaps Kane destroying Hawk in his ongoing quest to get Taker and the Outlaws failed attempt to finish the job. We switch to the Outlaws who are in the ring with mics telling Rochester to shut their mouths cause they're idiots. Dogg says there's no competition in the tag team division because they just proved it after last night, but now what should they do? The Outlaws are gonna sing one of their favorite tunes; dedicated to the O-L-D, and Dogg sings na-na-na goodbye to them and good riddance. He says the NAO are already tag champs, they should be given singing awards for that performance, so the next step is singles competition. So Dogg offers an open challenge to whoever wants to come out against Billy Gunn. The challenge is answered by the returning Dude Love, who makes his way down
Rating: B (78)

Billy Gunn vs. Dude Love
Love (3:33) via Double Arm DDT
The Outlaws rule the tag division but they are no match for the Dudester, who makes quick work of the Bad Ass
Rating: C (59)

Road Dogg comes in and kills Dude with a chair shot as Billy hits a diving knee drop on Dude on the titles on his head. The Outlaws admire their work then cut out.
After that, the announce trio hypes a look at the destruction of the Hart Foundation plus the coming Austin vs. Rock rematch, as we get a video shot of Rock gameplanning with The Nation of Domination
Rating: B+ (84)

Jim Cornette is in the ring to interview TAKA Michinoku as the first LHW champion. Cornette says TAKA has been learning English from JR, learning terms like slobberknocker. He then prepares to introduce the first challenger for the LHW title who is...Jerry Lawler? Lawler comes out to call TAKA an imposter. He's a thief, not a champion. The only reason TAKA is here is because there's too many people here. Lawler goes full xenophobe, insulting the fact that TAKA is a foreigner stealing things that should belong to hard working people born here!
Cornette appreciates Lawler's upset but he needs to continue his interview. Lawler counters that if you can't speak English you shouldn't be here, let alone be our champion. King asks TAKA if he knows even one word of English. TAKA says "You Get Out" in perfect Engrish. Lawler disrobes as Cornette introduces El Unico, TAKA's actual first challenger. Lawler gets mad another illegal alien is here. The Light Heavies look to challenge Lawler but El Unico turns and attacks TAKA with Lawler and it's Brian Christopher under a Lucha mask. TAKA gets a spike piledriver from Lawler and son. Then they trade piledrivers on TAKA until officials finally get them out
Rating: C (65)

The aghast announce team marches on, hyping a special announcement from the Worlds Most Dangerous Man, Ken Shamrock and Rock/Austin once again, as we get a shot of Austin in the back, eating a hot dog in strict preparation. But right now, we go to a video package showing D-X systematically dismantling the Hart Foundation: We see HBK beat the British Bulldog for the European Championship, the now infamous Montreal Screwjob, the annihilation of Jim Neidhart, and Owen Hart finally having enough and coming after HBK at the end of In Your House
Rating: B (78)

Kurrgan vs. Flash Funk
Funk (2:40) via DQ
This was the squash you'd expect it to be and Kurrgan wins with the Claw Hold, but the ref reverses the decision when he doesn't release the hold and The Jackal makes no reasonable attempt to dissuade his charge from doing all the damage
Rating: D+ (50)

We get still shots of the Shamrock/HBK In Your House match, complete with Owen Hart's shocking appearance. After the match cole gets comments from Shamrock: Shamrock didn't want it to go that way. He did what he said he would, he'd make HBK squeal like a baby and he did. But D-X made sure he didn't finish the job and get the victory. So he knows what he has to do...and if Shamrock has to enter the Royal Rumble to get his hands on HBK, he feels sorry for those other 29 guys, but be certain this isn't over.
The announce team plugs that D-X up next on the War Zone, plus Austin/Rock will happen, as we get a live shot of Vince McMahon in the back
Rating: B (78)

The War Zone opening video and pyros go off and then we are greeted by the familiar "Are You Ready?" as D-X comes out with a table set up in the ring. HHH starts off on the mic talking trash about Sgt. Slaughter, saying the military police rode through town last night and shut him down. If he thought he'd cut down this young stud he was sorely mistaken. The only thing he cut down was his dignity. And the next time his old lady screams out "the missile has landed" in her sleep. Tap her, wake her up, and tell her not to worry it's just a dream because the reality is HHH is too much man for both of them.
HBK says at D-X last night, Ken Shamrock found out he's not quite dangerous enough to take the Heartbreak Kid. The World's Most Dangerous Man was schooled by the Showstopper, the Headliner, the Main Event, the true icon of the WWF, the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. King agrees on commentary. Michaels continues, noting for those scoring at home, HBK is still the coveted European champion and thrice the WWF Champion, and the only grand slam winner in the history of the WWF. Now at D-X, after they scored their victories over Slaughter and Shamrock, someone tried to rain on their parade. That person being Owen Hart. HBK has had his run-ins with the entire Hart Foundation and everyone knows D-X has destroyed the Hart family once and for all
But the Hart Family, all of them together, are like one big huge nasty, smelly, smoking, smelly turd. And when you look down into the hopper and you have a turd like that, the first thing you think of is "good God, someone please flush it". So D-X did the WWF a favor and flushed that turd down the commode. But the thing is, and we've all seen it, you try to flush it and down it goes but one little chunky little nugget always seems to come back up to the surface. And even if you flush all day, that nugget keeps coming up. And that nugget is Owen Hart. So Owen, HBK knows he isn't in the back, but HBK is sure Owen is here, and he's sitting right here in the ring until someone brings him out here so he can get rid of that one last nugget! HBK announces that D-X is gonna sit here and play a game of poker until Owen comes out here. Chyna heroically (and with a shit eating grin) reminds HBK he promised a month ago he'd walk out on TV naked, and he's a man of his word, so they're gonna play strip poker until Owen shows up
Rating: A (90)

Discples of Apocalypse - 8-Ball & Skull vs. Los Boriquas - Savio & Miguel
Savio (6:26) via pinfall on Skull
The poker table is moved to the ringside area and this match takes place under the auspice of D-X. DOA looks to gain a measure of revenge from last night, but they fall again as Miguel slides Savio a 2x4 behind the ref's back which the Peurto Rican uses to great effect
Rating: D+ (52)

The strip poker game continues through all that and HBK is doing particularly badly, as Chyna keeps lining them up and knocking them down. JR & King, meanwhile, plug Jeff Jarrett's War Zone debut + Mero/Sable being on later + more Rock/Austin hype
Rating: B (77)

Back from commercial, the strip poker game continues back in the ring. Chyna wins again and HBK has to take off his pants, as she looks on with a giddy smile. Then, out come the headbangers for their match. When it's obvious D-X isn't ceding the ring, the Headbangers flip the table and D-X responds by tearing them apart. D-X triple powerbombs (Believe in the Degenerates!) Thrasher through the card table then pours out some Jack Daniels on him and HBK mocks Mosh with his title belt. D-X continues to goof around till Owen Hart busts through the crowd and tackles HBK, then runs back into the crowd before HHH and Chyna can react. The crowd swamps Owen, as HBK stews in the ring
Rating: B (79)

The D-X IYH encore presentation is plugged, then back on the show JR & King recap Owen's attack on D-X and wonder what does Owen have in store for HBK next as Jeff Jarret comes out for his Raw Debut against Vader
Rating: B- (76)

Vader vs. Jeff Jarrett
Jarrett (5:54) via count out
Jarrett tries to get on his bicycle but Vader is having none of it and looks to cut Jarrett down, until Goldust and Luna come down. Goldust is in a trenchcoat and stops at the ring apron, getting Vader's attention. Goldust then opens the trenchcoat and Vader becomes incensed like a bull in a china shop. Goldust can barely close the trenchcoat and run, but he does speed away as Vader takes chase, forgetting about the match
Rating: B (77)

Jarrett has his hand raised as JR laments that the record books will, in fact, show that in consecutive nights Jarrett holds wins over The Undertaker and Vader. Looking to move on from that, he and King remind the audience yet again that Rock vs Austin is coming up
Rating: B- (75)

Salvatore Sincere in the ring waiting as we get a Toughman fight recap and the Marvelous Marc Mero makes his way out.
Mero gets bombarded with Sable chants. Mero says he proves he's the greatest boxer/wrestler in the world as he wiped the floor with Butterball. What really annoys MMM, is that he's facing a jobber. What's standing across from him is just a jabroni. You're not Sal Sincere, you're Victor Jackson. This is just a lame gimmick you've been saddled with and it's pathetic and Mero will get to you in a minute.
Obviously, everyone's wondering where MMM's property is, so he's going to be benevolent and bring out someone who can't do a Merosault, that has never worn the IC title and never beaten anyone. The new and improved Sable!
Sable comes out in an Idaho patato sack. Things are Mero's way because he's the star. He directs Sable into the ring as she looks scornful. "Come here my little spud" he commands, then says she looks Marvelous. Mero tells the jobber to hold on a second as he has Sable disrobe him. Sable hesitates and shows off her non-existant bikini under the sack instead. Mero loses his shit and eats a dropkick out of the ring from Sal Sincere. Before the ref can start the match up, though, MMM drags Sable away, desperately trying to cover her up as they exit
Rating: C (64)

The Rock comes out with Viince waiting at ringside to a huge Rocky Sucks chant, followed by Stone Cold still in his street clothes. Vince get in the ring and wants to know what Austin is doing not being ready to compete. Austin says he's all prepared, had his hot dog and a couple of Steveweisers. Austin has decided he isn't wrestling this guy he whooped last night. He wants to know what Vince is going to do, is he gonna fire him? Rocky advocates Vociferously for firing though Vince says he's not firing Austin. But he's being forced to strip Austin of the IC title and give it to The Rock. Austin says if he tries that he'll knock Vince's teeth out. But Stone Cold will let Vince in on a secret, Austin isn't interested in the IC title, he's been the Tag champ, and he only wants one title, the WWF title. So he's forfeiting the title to The Rock.
Before Austin does that, though, he wants a handshake and tells Rocky to trust him. The Rock takes the handshake and Austin raises his hand. Then turns into a Stunner. DTA, you idiot!: Don't Trust Anybody. There's you're IC champion, laying right on his ass
Austin says he's got plans for the IC title and you can find out what, next week; same Stone Cold Time, same Stone Cold Channel.
Austin then celebrates with the belt, hitting the ropes and knocking Vince off the apron. Austin then walks off with the IC title as the show ends

Rating: A* (100)

Final Rating: B (81)

Brandon Morrison - Chief of Staff and Forum Attaché to the Grand Chancellor